The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
HENRY L. BlOSSiT, Business Manager,

disappeared in the distance l was
pressing rapidly after them.
They were engaged in earnest con-
versation.
Apparently the topic absorbed all
their thoughts. and my approach and
the storm were alike disregarded.
Twas near enough to overhear some
of their words and catch some sem
fences. Billy addressed his compan-
ion as Katie. Miss Emery shame was
frequently mentioned, and l gathered
that Kotie went to Sunday oil and
Miss Emery was her teacher Katie
was lavish in her praise of this kind
lady. Billy longed for some one who
would be as good to him.
"Ain'tI good to you. Billy?" said
Katie in an aggrieved tone,
You bet!' he replied, emphatically,
and l thought he drew her closer as
he spoke. II didn't mean you;
meant some one like Miss Emery
IF your father would quit drinking
that dreadful stuff he would be good
TO you then and SO would your
mother"
Father will never stop drinking"
said Billy, hopelessly. Hes drunk
all the time; he fogs me when l don't
sell all my papers and give him the
money; mothers almost crazy, and
Benny's dying, l believe; he's awful
sick and never has enough to eat
and-and"-and great sob told that
Billy's cup of sorrow was full and run
ming over.
Poor Benny!" sighed Katie, SYM
pathizingy. "But don't cry, Billy;
Miss Emery says it's always darkest
Just before the dawn. May be Ben
ny'll get we'll. l hope he will; and
perhaps your father won't hurt you
tonight"
Eyes, he WILL" sobbed Billy. He
means to pound the life out of me
some of these nights, l know he
doesW
The couple now stopped before the
door of large tenement house, and /
succeeded in getting into q neighbor-
ing doorway unobserved. They talked
on for q short time Billy was de-
spondent Katie hopeful. With skill
and Judgment belonging to ripper years
Katie applied Miss Emery's teachings
as balm to Billy's wounded spirit.
81 can pray, Billy" she said at last.
"Miss Emery taught me how. "She
told me to ask God to bless our enemies
as we'll as our friends. She says if /
ask for what is right and best my pray
er will certainly be answered. Don't
you believe 1t? l do. Pm going to pray
for Benny tonight l do hope he will
get well. And am going to ask God
to make your father sober and good
again. TART right for him to take
your money and spend it while you
and the rest of you starve. Now good
night, Billy"
The scene that followed was too sa-
cred to be witnessed by any but the
angels. will not attempt to describe
it. But when Katie disappeared in the
dark hallway she was in possession OF
Billy's two unsold papers. and Billy
went away with heavier pocket but
lighter heart, for thus did lie secure
for this time immunity from his
drunken fathers cruel rod.
Billy tcudged on through the snow,
turning one corner then another He
had not gone far, however, when 8
tall woman, without bonnet or cloak.
and very thinly clad, suddenly rushed
from somewhere.
"Oh, Billy" she cried, run for the
doctor, quick; Benny's dying. Fine
father and send him homer
Billy darted off without word The
woman ran up narrow alley, leapine
over drifts, almost flying over thu
snow, and forcing me to my utmost
speed to keep her in sight The alley
extended through several blocks. She
stopped for an instant only before ;
small house, then disappeared from
view.
When I arrived at the spot wa
startled by an agonizing shriek-'
r prolonged lamentation burdened will
, grief and despair Then all was still
| The half-curtained window at the enc
of the house afforded view of the in
terror. 1t was just such a wretchet
place as one expects to find wher'
poverty and drink combine to deal ou
misery to men.
But what scene met my inquirint
gaze! Across little cot lay the in
animate form of the woman, and thu
light shone full upon the cause Of he
t grief-the marble face of the deat
babe pillowed upon her arm. On tn
floor in corner, braced against tn
g wall, sat the intoxicated head of tn
: household, aroused into semicon
, seriousness by his wife's cutlery, star
t ing idiotically about him, as if endeay
|. oring to find out where he was an
n what it all meant.
r Presently the woman moved, ros
q slowly. kissed the cold lips, then lai
t the lifeless head gently upon tn
o pillow. For moment she stood ga2
ing upon her dead child, then sh
!, touched the white face and tenderl
J, adjusted the light covering.
!, Now she discovered the figure in tn
e corner. Its presence was evidentl
1 nnaxnected. She instantly drew her